The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-29
HIS LAST DOLLAR.
BY WALLACE P. REED.

from her appearance that she had not been
asleep She had simply been trying for few
moments TO escap9siSpm the bitter cold.
Mrs. Duval gid about the poorly fur
Qished rooms.
"Why does not Fransis Gomez" she said in
an anxious tone. 'T'know." she added softly,
'that lie will fail, but perhaps he will be more
fortunate tomorrow"
just then the door opened and Francis
Duval entered.
The moment the woman saw nor husband S
face she knew that he had been unsuccessful.
Without a word she threw her arms around
his neck and kissed him.
"Oh, Francis!" she exclaimed, 81 am so
glad that you have comet"
Duyal looked down at his frail young wife,
and shuddered.
$'You are rare woman to receive me with
such a welcome" he said; "but you do not
know ALL
81 can guess was the quiet answer.
eyes, responded Duval; sit is the same old
STORY [ found that it was useless to apply for
employment. Old Bidwell was as hard as a
flint He said that my passion for gambling
made me so absolutely Enthusiastically that he
would not have anything to do with me-"
''Was that all, Francis?"
''No,' said the young man modify; che
handed me a five-dollar bill, and said that on
looking over his books he had found that 1t was
due nc and had been overlooked
A flush came over Mrs. Duval's white face
and she almost danced about the room in a
joyful way.
give dollars!" she cried. "Why, Francis,
that is a little fortune. 1t will buy coal and
something to eat. We can make ourselves 50
comfortable tonight, and tomorrow you will
faa 10 nov ma | that
will get something to do"
The man bowed his head and groaned.
''Is anything the matter? Are you ill -
his wife asked.
81 did not tell you all,' he said "You
know my failing, had the bill changed and
!. walked along the streets thinking of what l
scould buy. and bring you. Almost before 1
Snev ii was in front Of the Palace. You know
swat ! nleane"
"That horrid gambling dem"
eyes l do not wonder that you speak OF it
in that way. 1t has stripped me of everything
I had. 1t has lost me my situation and
reduced us to starvation. Yes, it is den Of
devils"
"Francis"-and the little woman again
threw her arms around his neck" Francis, /
have something to tell YOU"
"What can it be?" he asked with a faint
smile.
81 have got a dollar" she whispered.
ga dollar!" he gasped.
eyes, whole dollar; found it in my trunk
while you were out. So, you see there is no
danger Of our starving or freezing tonight. /
hate to have you go out again in this terrible
weather but in five minutes you will return
with a little coal and hot lunch, and there
will be something left for breakfast
"And tomorrow" suggested Francis.
at will be all right tomorrow" said his
wife, speaking rapidly. 81 think you realize
how near death yonr fatal habit has brought
us. Think of it, my husband! You will never
gamble again?"
Duval's eye flashed fire.
"Never. swear it'' he shouted. "Any-
thing but that Twill go at any kind of honest
work if you will stand by me and be patient"
"Then,'' broke out the little woman, "our
fortune is made. 1 will talk to Mr.. Bidwen
myself tomorrow, and I am sure that he will
listen to me. Here is the money. You will
not be gone long, will you?'
'You may expect me back III almost NO
time, replied Duval, as he buttoned his over
coat TO his chin.
He lost no time in talking about it, but
bolted through the door, and rushed Off
lie did not know how it happened, but before
he could compose his thoughts he found him
self in front of the Palace.
The blaze of light attracted him, and almost
unconsciously he walked in and joined little
group playing roulette.
Duval did not know what he was doing.
When he found two dollars in his hand and
saw that he had won it on the red, he tried the
same color again and doubled his money.
Then an outcry startled him. He had staked
his money on the eagle, and had been again
successful.
Almost blinded, with strange light gleam-
ing in his eyes, he continued TO play, and at
the end of two hours his pockets were well
stuffed with bills and coin.
1t was no longer the hali-starved, pennileSs
clerk standing in that admiring circle of game
sters. 1t was Duval, the fayorite of fortune
He yielded to the opportunities Of several
new acquaintance and went to private room
for quiet game of poker.
1t was midnight, and the lucky gamestel
had cleaned out the entire crowd.
He hastily counted his money, and found
that he had sixteen thousand dollarsl
Without saying word to explain his sudden
departure, he slowed his winnings safely away
in the inside pockets of his coat, and hurried
out into the street.
The steps leading TO the little attic room
creaked under the eager steps of the man who
was ascending them with basket and several
bundles in his arms.
"My God" he said to himself ut is
nearly morning and ! forgot all about her
But now it will be all right, and when she sees
what fortune my last dollar has brought US
she will be as merry as a lark
He paused just outside the door, but could
hear nothing.
"Of course she is asleep" he said. "Weu
il Is all the better. It was too cold for the
poor, hungry little thing 70 sit up and wait"
With a smile On his face lie gently opened
the door and stepped in.
"My dear" he whispered.
The face on the pillow was very white, ant
the fragile figure under the covering was mo
afaufaeo